Comments on: How accountants lose clients

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 29 May 2012 15:24:08 +0000

I think this will become a lot more common, likewise with choosing a bank that integrates in well with the chosen accounts software.

An accountant can’t be an expert in all software, but there are such great savings from your accountant knowing the software you use.

But at the end of the day, most clients are worth no more than 1 or 2 days’ work a year to an accountant, so if only 1 or 2 clients wishes to use a given software system, it is not likely to be worth the accountant learning it.

By: Phil Hendy

Phil Hendy — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:24:37 +0000

I have found the partner programme to be extremely beneficial to my business. Not only can you sell licences to clients but also non-clients or more importantly bookeepers with which I have affiliations. I am getting ever increasing interest in the software.

As with anything though you have to be flexible to the clients needs and wants. If someone uses a different system then so be it. The best time to recommend is when they are starting up!

By: Matt Chatterley

Matt Chatterley — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:27:29 +0000

To be fair, if someone who provides you wish a service is not able to flex a bit to provide that service in the way you require (within reason, of course) – then perhaps you should be looking at alternatives anyway..

Short version of a long opinion!

By: Phil Richards

Phil Richards — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 12:27:14 +0000

Interesting article thanks. We try and give clients choice and are happy to work with any accounting system. We work more with one piece of software and two online accounting systems, different reasons for different systems. The problem I see for me is that if I want to partner with KashFlow then I need to join the partner programme which has a fee, OK I only need about 8 clients to b/even, but that assumes that I resell at full price which is unlikely, but with such a growing array of different online accounting solutions, I would like to be available to most so client can choose. Although its difficult for us to really know all systems. So, in conclusion I would make it easier for accountants to work with you by having a lower cost accountants programme which you could grown into a partner. Maybe you already have but I am not aware of it….Anyway, some I do think some accountants like us are keen on systems like yours that make it easy for the client to keep good records. Makes our life easier too 🙂

By: Duane Jackson

Duane Jackson — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:18:38 +0000

Oi, don’t asscociate KashFlow with the “friend in the pub” !!!

He’s the guy that tells you you’ll get an HMRC inspection if you take a low wage, etc.

By: Emily Coltman

Emily Coltman — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:16:08 +0000

Hi Duane,

I take your fair point – but it’s all about building a personal relationship with the client as well.

If the client genuinely likes the accountant as a person (and vice versa) then they are less likely to walk.

But an accountant with his/her head in the sand over new technology is going to lose clients because there’ll always be the “friend at the pub” who’s on KashFlow and talks about it…

By: Duane Jackson

Duane Jackson — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:07:35 +0000

Hi Emily,

We don’t usually ask, I don’t think. I’m aware of cases where the client has been with the accountant for years and also other cases where it’s only months. So works both ways I guess.

I don’t think having a client for a few years makes them less likely to leave. You’d need to be constantly upping your game and making sure you don’t get complacent.

Duane

By: Stuart Ramsay

Stuart Ramsay — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:06:16 +0000

I’ve taken on two new clients in the last few months with exactly this scenario. The previous accountant was more interested in seeing how he could extract the data into his software than he was in helping the client reap the benefits of their preferred software.

By: Emily Coltman

Emily Coltman — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:50:01 +0000

Hmmm… interesting one.

When clients choose to leave their accountants because the accountant won’t do KashFlow, how long would you say the client has been with the accountant?

Because I’m just wondering if clients who have only just started working with a particular accountant will move more readily than those who’ve been with that accountant a few years.

Just curious.